Taking ENT PAC to the MAX

For the past two years, I have served as Chair of the ENT PAC Board of Advisors, and I have been privileged to see what incredible rewards for our specialty are reaped from the generous contributions of our members. A recent experience during the AAO-HNSF 2018 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience furthered my respect, and admiration, for our membership.

At the ENT PAC Board of Advisors meeting in Atlanta, I was disheartened to learn that our fundraising target was only $15,000 to $17,500 for onsite contributions, compared with $20,000 in the past. My response was to prompt members of the PAC Board to action, by offering to match – dollar for dollar – any new contributions they made to ENT PAC during the meeting. To my delight, several members immediately rose to the challenge, leading me to “max out” with my own $5,000 total giving to the PAC for 2018.

Unfortunately, “maxing out” with PAC contributions is rare and has never happened for ENT PAC. Perhaps this relates to a misunderstanding of the value of “maxing out,” often defined as “a point at which no more improvement, profit, or benefit can occur.” While personal contributions to ENT PAC by an individual are legally capped at $5,000 per year, the impact of maxed-out contributions has a lasting effect.

Every dollar given to ENT PAC is used in a non-partisan manner to support federal lawmakers who champion our specialty’s legislative issues on Capitol Hill. Instead of sitting on the sidelines and taking this for granted, I call on my fellow otolaryngologists to join me in taking ENT PAC to the max. You can learn more about ENT PAC and the new “Leadership Club” level at www.entpac.org. Showcase your dedication to our wonderful specialty and help support the tireless efforts of the Academy to empower otolaryngologists and ensure our patients and our practices thrive in uncertain and challenging political times.

And, by the way, we exceeded our goal and eventually raised more than $20,000 at the Annual meeting.

Contributions to ENT PAC are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Contributions are voluntary, and all members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery have the right to refuse to contribute without reprisal. Federal law prohibits ENT PAC from accepting contributions from foreign nationals. By law, if your contributions are made using a personal check or credit card, ENT PAC may use your contribution only to support candidates in federal elections. All corporate contributions to ENT PAC will be used for educational and administrative fees of ENT PAC, and other activities permissible under federal law. Federal law requires ENT PAC to use its best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and the name of the employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year.